Story by Jennifer Merrick Vacay.ca Writer JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA — Here’s to beach vacations, and the surf, sand, flip-flops, water sports and lounge chairs they entail. But, then again, urban getaways are appealing, too, with their cultural attractions and the city buzz of nightlife, markets and trendy neighbourhoods with chef-driven restaurants. So why choose? Jacksonville (aka Jax),…

Story by Jennifer Merrick Vacay.ca Writer GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA — A three-hour tour. It was the start of an unexpected adventure for the gang at Gilligan’s Island, and for us, too, on the Pub and Mural Tour in Gainesville, a university town in Northern Florida. This bike excursion was far from typical since we were not…

Warm Mineral Springs has key to restoring youth Story by Chris Ryall WARM MINERAL SPRINGS, NORTH PORT, FLORIDA – Florida evokes many happy memories: building an impenetrable fort as a kid with my pail and shovel and heaps of white moist powdery sand from Siesta Key beach. Going for seconds of key lime pie. On the…

Shhh…don`t tell the kids but a Wild Wizard Adventure is fun and educational Story by Jennifer Merrick, Vacay.ca writer How does a vacationing Canadian family find themselves in a classroom with 29 home-schooled Florida kids and a ‘Wild Wizard’? It was the guilt. We had misgivings about pulling our kids out of school for a…

Orlando is a Florida favourite designed to be enjoyed in the sunshine which is why I was beyond disappointed when it started to rain. And rain. Then for good measure rain even more. At one point it seemed like the rain was coming in sideways. It was time for a new game plan. Was Orlando…

No bird is more synonymous with Florida than the long-legged, long-necked, laconic flamingo. See one of these and you know you are in the Sunshine State so we’ve compiled some facts about flamingos and all the different types, including the pink plastic variety. Story by Guillermo Serrano, Vacay.ca writer 1. Like Canadian snowbirds, flamingos are…

No theme parks. Few chains. Lots of quiet. Welcome to Florida’s gentler side. Story by Jennifer Merrick, Vacay.ca Writer STUART, FLORIDA — Martin County, situated 140 kilometres (87 miles) north of Fort Lauderdale on the Atlantic coast, offers visitors a chance to discover what some refer to as “Old Florida.” It’s an authentic Florida that emphasizes…

Declining coral reefs hurts the health of other species and the ocean’s ecosystem Over the last five decades the Florida Keys has been steadily losing something that until recently, no one thought was replaceable. Ninety per cent of the hard coral cover has dropped in the Keys over the last 50 years. But now something…

Little-known watering hole near Key Largo is full of fun, good food and crocodiles, too. Story by Petti Fong, Vacay.ca Editor HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA — The crocodiles and manatees, depending on their moods, may or may not show up. The music gets loud every weekend afternoon and stick around long enough and someone is definitely going to get…

The energy is always buzzing in Miami and South Beach any time of the week. But there’s a certain vibe that exists on a Miami/South Beach weekend. Here are some tips on how to make the most of a weekend in one of the most vibrant places in Florida. Story by Guillermo Serrano Friday 3…